Salvete Ovid-lovers!
Thank you for joining Ovid’s Summer Book Club in our reading of the Metamorphoses!
This week, from July 10-12, the river god Acheloüs relates to Theseus how he lost his horn and the maiden Deianira to the power of Hercules, as well as Hercules’ death by poisoned cloak, and his ascent into the heavens as a constellation.
Next, on July 12-13, Hercules’ mother Alcmena tells Iole her difficulties in giving birth to him, and Iole replies with the tragic tale of the transformation of her sister.
On July 13, Themis predicts the collapse of the house of Thebes. Jove soothes the gods about the fact that their mortal children will now always age and die.
From July 13-15, Biblys falls in love with her brother and upon his rejection flees into the wilderness.
From July 15-16, Iphis, born a girl, is raised as a boy lest his father kills him. When he is engaged to his beloved Ianthe, he prays to Isis and is fully transformed into a man.
Valete laetaque evolvens!
M